Traditional franchise in Central Jakarta

JAKARTA (JP): An Indonesian traditional food outlet, Tek Tek, opened at the Atrium Segitiga Senen shopping arcade yesterday.

The phrase tek tek originated from the sound produced when traditional vendors struck a piece of metal against a pan used to cook fried rice (nasi goreng) and fried noodles (bakmi goreng) in order to attract customers as they traveled through neighborhoods with their food carts. The outlet, adopting the phrase, is offering food similar to that of the traditional vendors.

According to Tek Tek's owner, Sukyatno Nugroho, the outlet will not draw customers away from traditional tek tek vendors.

Following Tek Tek's debut at the Lippo Karawaci Mall in Tangerang, West Java, the management decided to open its second outlet on Tuesday.

"Three more outlets will be operating soon, Sukyatno Nugroho, the outlet's owner said.

Three former vendors are now employed at the Atrium's Tek Tek.

All of them told The Jakarta Post that they preferred to work as Tek Tek chefs rather than working on their own.

"We have less to worry about," Urip Suriono said, referring to the hassle he had to go through when selling his own food.

Sukyatno is known for his Es Teler 77 franchise, which serves blended mixed fruit drinks and has 164 outlets across the nation.

The Indonesian Record Museum yesterday presented Sukyatno an award for pioneering the Indonesian traditional food franchise business.

The museum was set up in 1977 and presents awards based on four categories, including the "most", the "most unique", the "first" and the "rare". (14)